Mitchell's experimental treatment appears to have been just that. He was officially taken off the gleevec and celebrex protocol as it was not having any impact on the cancer's growth. He is being discharged from UMC this morning with 2 different types of morphine in pill form to help him with pain management. There is talk of enrolling him in a clincial trial sometime this week, but first he needs to meet with Dr. Brown to go over whatever it is they need to review.
I'm hoping the clincial trial administers the chemo through infusion. Mitchell hasn't had much success with pills so far. I'm also hoping that this episode helps to remind my spouse to be more responsive to the signals he gets from his body. For people in his situation, things don't usually just "go away".
Showing posts with label gleevec. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gleevec. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10
Friday, October 8
new right now
Spent the day with Mitchell in the ER. After a miserable night at home, I convinced him to go in. Long story short...The ct scan they did today showed "significant" growth in numbers and size of lesions in his liver and a handful new metastases in both lungs as well as growth in those already present. He was finally admitted late this evening. The plan is to reintroduce liquids and food and then his meds and see whether or not he can tolerate them. Not sure how long his stay will be.
Although I am not surprised at this news, it leaves me feeling hostility toward health care in general. Perhaps if the insurance company would pay for scans at regular intervals for Mitchell, the oncologist would know in a more timely manner that a protocol wasn't working. I also realize that chances are slim to none that we will beat this cancer...Knowing that, shouldn't Mitchell be given the opportunity to extend his life while battling this disease as much as is medically reasonable? And have a reasonable quality of life at that?
The longer we are in this, the more medicine seems to be random shots in the dark and less science and logic based on evidence. No one seems to really know anything with any kind of authority.
Although I am not surprised at this news, it leaves me feeling hostility toward health care in general. Perhaps if the insurance company would pay for scans at regular intervals for Mitchell, the oncologist would know in a more timely manner that a protocol wasn't working. I also realize that chances are slim to none that we will beat this cancer...Knowing that, shouldn't Mitchell be given the opportunity to extend his life while battling this disease as much as is medically reasonable? And have a reasonable quality of life at that?
The longer we are in this, the more medicine seems to be random shots in the dark and less science and logic based on evidence. No one seems to really know anything with any kind of authority.
Thursday, October 7
right now
Mitchell has been laying in his recliner for the last seven and a half hours. He's been having trouble with his stomach. Apparently the last combination of meds has been doing a real number on his digestion.
He met with Dr. Brown last Tuesday. I feel like there's nothing really new to share. Although I thought this last appointment would let us know when Mitchell's next scheduled PET scan would happen, but it seems that's not going to play out the way I thought it would. Something about tumor markers and whether or not they're elevated. I have no idea what the state of said markers are because the doctor failed to call and Mitchell has yet to track him down.
My hopes right now are that Mitchell gets back on infusion chemotherapy. Sounds crazy, but at least he gets the medicine when they're mainlining it into his system. This whole pill thing isn't really happening.
Another item of note is that Mitchell's pain level seems to have increased. Stomach. Shoulder. Back. Hard to say what is causing it. Glass half empty reads its from the disease and not the meds. Who knows really?
He met with Dr. Brown last Tuesday. I feel like there's nothing really new to share. Although I thought this last appointment would let us know when Mitchell's next scheduled PET scan would happen, but it seems that's not going to play out the way I thought it would. Something about tumor markers and whether or not they're elevated. I have no idea what the state of said markers are because the doctor failed to call and Mitchell has yet to track him down.
My hopes right now are that Mitchell gets back on infusion chemotherapy. Sounds crazy, but at least he gets the medicine when they're mainlining it into his system. This whole pill thing isn't really happening.
Another item of note is that Mitchell's pain level seems to have increased. Stomach. Shoulder. Back. Hard to say what is causing it. Glass half empty reads its from the disease and not the meds. Who knows really?
Monday, September 20
some days
Some days are better than others. Some days he seems pretty okay. I can almost forget on those days. I'm able to see past it into our future.
Some days are bad. It's obvious that he's sick. He's slow moving and looks like he hurts. He's quiet and far away. And nothing seems to help.
Some days I wish I knew the future. The unknown is always what's most scary. I wish I knew what would work. Or how how to help. Or what to say. But I don't know any of those things.
Some days are bad. It's obvious that he's sick. He's slow moving and looks like he hurts. He's quiet and far away. And nothing seems to help.
Some days I wish I knew the future. The unknown is always what's most scary. I wish I knew what would work. Or how how to help. Or what to say. But I don't know any of those things.
Sunday, September 5
tummy troubles
Mitchell is still having issues with his stomach. He's lucky if he gets one dose of the chemo down each day. Symptoms continue to range from a "sour stomach" to cramps to nausea to sudden exhaustion. The visit with the nutritionist seemed to be helpful, but it doesn't change that he is constantly struggling. It struck me the other day that Mitchell's been going through treatment as long as Hayden's been alive.
Monday, August 30
adverse reactions
Mitchell is currently paying for his weekend of football and fun. He's been wiped since his return as is his usual after a trip up "North". Last night he developed another strange pain in his shoulder. This led to me rifling through prescription notes and rustling through pill bottles near the middle of the night in search of a painkiller that wouldn't react adversely to the gleevec.
Today brought more exhaustion and nausea and even some vomiting. Thankfully the experience has been bad/inconvenient enough to make Mitchell call the Cancer Center for support. He has an appointment with a nutritionist in the morning. Hopefully he'll get some ideas about how to handle his stomach issues because if he can't take the pills, it's not going to impact the cancer.
Today brought more exhaustion and nausea and even some vomiting. Thankfully the experience has been bad/inconvenient enough to make Mitchell call the Cancer Center for support. He has an appointment with a nutritionist in the morning. Hopefully he'll get some ideas about how to handle his stomach issues because if he can't take the pills, it's not going to impact the cancer.
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